Sixmilebridge 0-10 Inagh/Kilnamona 0-7

O’Garney Park was the venue for this Under 14 A Round 7 clash with Inagh/Kilnamona last Friday evening. Played in brilliant sunshine with a stiff breeze blowing down the pitch towards the school end favouring the ‘Bridge boys in the first half. The visitors were first to register a score with Sean Rynne popping over a point in the first minute of play. The ‘Bridge however settled very quickly and scored 3 points of their own in the next five minutes with points from Dara Fitzgerald and Daniel Chaplin taking full advantage of the conditions. Inagh/Kilnamona fought back and with lighting quick runs from Ricky Wynne in midfield and 4 more points from full forward Sean Rynne, who was tormenting the ‘Bridge backline with speed and lovely first touch the sides were level on 22 minutes on 5 points each. A long range free and a 65 from Seamus O’Connell keeping the ‘Bridge account going. The score of the half came after another run from Wynne who laid off a lovely pass to Gearoid Barry in the corner who the hit the ball over the bar from an almost impossible angle. Dara Fitzgerald got two more for the ‘Bridge (1free) leaving the halftime score 0-7 to 0-6 in favour of the ‘Bridge.
With a one point lead and now playing into a significant wind in the second half one wondered would it be enough against an Inagh/Kilnamona outfit who liked running at a backline at speed. No need to worry however as the ‘Bridge backs gave an exhibition in defending for the entire second half with Mark Sheedy in goal outstanding. Not only did he prevent a certain goal with an unbelievable save 10 minutes in, again from the lethal Ricky Wynne, it was his reading of the game out the field that was far more important snuffing out the threat to the ‘Bridge goal on several occasions. The ‘Bridge defence was so effective that Inagh/Kilnamona failed to score from play for the entire second half with a solitary point from a free being their only score. Meanwhile up at the other end Fionn Hayes and Brendan Carey were putting in an incredible amount of work in the full forward line keeping the Inagh/Kilnamona backline on high alert. The ‘Bridge scored 3 points in the second half all from frees and all from Conor Murphy whose accuracy was 100% from the placed ball. He was also unlucky not to score a goal 3 minutes from time when after a run at the Inagh/Kilnamona goal with defenders ready to hook him he kicked the sliotar at Dylan McCoy whose quick reaction saved it. It was a very good display from the ‘Bridge boys and they deserved a hard fought victory.
For Inagh/Kilnamona, Ricky Wynne was a class act with lighting quick runs throughout the match from midfield causing the ‘Bridge backs big problems. Sean Rynne, scored all bar one of Inagh/Kilnamona’s points and his work rate throughout was immense. Gearoid Barry, small and dangerous inside in the corner forward position threatened all night, getting an exquisite point in the first half.
For Sixmilebridge, Mark Sheedy was excellent in goal as were Fionn Hayes and Brian Carey in the inside forward line for the amount of effort they put in. Also, the entire ‘Bridge backline, for their collective effort in preventing Inagh/Kilnamona from registering a score from play in the second half. This was all the more impressive considering Inagh/Kilnamona had a significant wind advantage.

Sixmilebridge: Mark Sheedy, Tom Forde, Seamus O’Connell 0-2, (0-1F)(0-1,65), Darren Hurley, Gary O’Callaghan, Oisin Breen, Lee Mulready, Ian Collins, Conor Gilligan, Danny Dunne, Conor Murphy 0-3 (0-3F), Daniel Chaplin 0-1, Brendan Carey, Fionn Hayes, Dara Fitzgerald 0-4(0-2F), Jack Holloway, Tan Greene.

Inagh/Kilnamona: Dylan McCoy, Brendan McCoy, Shane Woods, Daniel McCarthy, Jamie Wynne, James Cullinane, Mark Callinan, Ricky Wynne, James Hegarty, Robert Dowling, Colin Hehir, Jack Cullinane, Fred Hegarty, Sean Rynne 0-6 (0-3F), Gearoid Barry 0-1.

Referee: Fergal O’Brien